Discussion:
What is the name of your state?
California
I have nearly $2000US invested in some vintage automotive literature and am considering creating a website to display the scanned images in galleries.
Idea #1:
Have my literature available on a server(or FTP) for people to download as many images as they want free. The reason for this is because the carmaker(corporate office - legal department) has informed me that I cannot sell the images as the copyright is retained by the original author and/or the carmaker. The revenue would be generated by banners, pop-ups, etc. placed throughout the site. As I understand it, everytime a banner or pop-up is activated, the "host"(i.e. Geocities, Earthlink, MSN, Yahoo) pays me a small amount of $$. Obviously the more traffic, the more money generated. Once word has spread `round-the-world, I should be bringing in some countable dough.
Idea #2:
Same concept(image galleries), however this version has a portal fee to access the site which can then be viewed. Paypal is one service(there are others) which can provide instant access to the galleries for a small fee paid by the subscribers, either each time they want to view, how much they download(mb), or a monthly unlimited access fee. Again, I'm not charging money to see or download any images, just simply to access the site.
I don't want to get into a Napster sort of debocle or create any reason for a lawsuit against me so I appreciate any input regarding my ideas and welcome other ideas as well. Thank you in advance.
I have been informed by an associate that if I cannot sell the images, then there is a chance that I cannot distribute the images either. I need some input on this as I am seeking a way of generating income by authoring a website while making this literature available for all. Most of the original literature was made between 1935 - 1965. Thanks for any replies.
58T
Answer:
My response:
Trying to find a way to crack that $1,300.00 per month trailer mortgage nut, eh?
IAAL
Answer:
I don't want to get into a Napster sort of debocle or create any reason for a lawsuit against me so I appreciate any input regarding my ideas and welcome other ideas as well. Do a lookup on the words 'Criminal Facilitation' and you'll have your answer.
Answer:
"I have been informed by an associate that if I cannot sell the images, then there is a chance that I cannot distribute the images either."
Correct. It doesn't matter how you make money on the images, or even IF you make any money on the images -- you simply cannot distribute them in any way without permission from the copyright holder.